>> Monday, December 20, 2010

I'm Nicole from Making Good Choices! When Ashley and Stephen tweeted about guest posting for their 12 Cookies of X-Mas series, I knew I'd be able to help. I have a lot of time on my hands these days, and I have no shortage of holiday cookie recipes.

For me, December means holiday baking. Each year I put together boxes of treats for close family and friends which consists of a mix of traditional and new holiday cookie recipes. No matter what I switch up in my holiday cookie boxes, you can be sure you will find at least one type of biscotti.

They are perfect for breakfast or dessert, plain or dunked in coffee or tea.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE ALMOND BISCOTTI

What you'll need . . .

2/3 cup whole almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped

1 2/3 cups flour

1/3 cup dutch processed cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

3 large egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup dark chocolate chips

Method . . .

Position one of your oven racks in the center of your oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking liner and put aside

In a large bowl mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Then add in the sugar.

Add two whole eggs, the egg yolks, and vanilla.

Mix with an electric mixer on low speed until just combined.

Add in the almonds and chocolate chips and beat on low speed until all mixed.

Place the dough on to a lightly floured work surface and divide it in half.

Shape each half into approximately a 2 1/2 inch by 12 inch flat log. The dough will be sticky so you may need to add more flour to your hands.

Carefully transfer the logs onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them at least 3 inches apart because they will spread as they bake.

Place the baking sheet on the center rack of your oven and bake for about 35 minutes, or until the logs are firm to the touch.

When done place the baking sheet on a wire rack and allow the logs to cool completely.

Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F and transfer the biscotti logs to a cutting board.

Using a serrated knife, cut the logs on a slight diagonal into 1-inch thick slices.

Place biscotti slices on the baking sheet.

Bake the biscotti until they are crisp, about 10 minutes.

Place baking sheet on a wire rack and allow the biscotti to cool completely on the sheet.

Have a happy holiday!

Thanks so much to Nicole for offering up such a delicious guest post! Check out her blog, Making Good Choices, for more great stuff. And if you want to find more holiday cookie recipes -- you've come to the right place!